VFW Award

City of El Mirage — Regular Meeting (2025-02-19)

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Police Department 
 
   
12401 W. Cinnabar Ave., El Mirage 85335 
623-500-3000; Fax 623-500-3019 
TDD 623-933-3258; www.elmirageaz.gov 
 
 
 
 
December 10, 2024 
 
Nicky D. Bacon VFW Post 285 
Attn: Glenn Stark 
P.O. Box 8901 
Surprise, AZ 85374 
 
 
Delivered via Email: glstark@cox.net 
 
 
Dear Mr. Stark, 
 
The El Mirage Police Department (EMPD) is pleased to nominate Detective Sebero 
“Frank” Torres for the 2024 VFW Police Officer of the Year Award. This annual award 
continues to recognize outstanding work in public safety, and our department is proud to 
partner with your organization once again.  
 
With over 20 years of experience as a police officer, Detective Torres has consistently 
demonstrated an unparalleled commitment to excellence in investigative work, bringing 
integrity and ingenuity to every case he handles. His dedication to uncovering the truth, 
solving complex problems, and upholding justice has had a profound impact on our 
organization and the broader community.  His exceptional skills, leadership, and 
relentless pursuit of justice make him an ideal candidate for this recognition. 
 
Detective Torres’ expertise as an investigator is evident in the quality and depth of his 
work.  His ability to piece together seemingly unrelated information to uncover crucial 
evidence has been instrumental in solving cases.  One of Detective Torres’ most 
notable achievements this year was his involvement as lead detective in a 
robbery/homicide investigation.  His meticulous attention to detail and ability to identify 
key patterns in a complex web led to the identification of numerous suspects, resulting 
in the arrests of those responsible for this heinous act. 
 
What sets Detective Torres apart as an investigator is his unwavering commitment to 
integrity and ethical conduct.  In a position where accuracy and fairness are paramount, 
his professionalism shines through in every aspect of his work.  He consistently follows 
the highest ethical standards, ensuring that every lead is investigated thoroughly but 
with respect for the rights of individuals and the legal boundaries of the investigation.

Detective Torres’ transparency throughout the investigative process has earned him the 
trust and respect of his peers, superiors, and the community he serves. His calm 
demeanor, effective communication skills, and ability to think critically under pressure 
make him a great asset to our team. Because of his investigative experience, Detective 
Torres handles each investigation with respect to the victim and approaches each case 
objectively and impartially.  
 
Because of Detective Torres’ prior experience with the Las Cruces, New Mexico Police 
Department, he was chosen to be part of the West Valley Investigative Response 
Team. This team is comprised of investigators from West Valley agencies and is 
responsible for investigating officer-involved shootings and in-custody deaths 
throughout the West Valley. There is no additional pay to be a part of this team, but 
Detective Torres makes himself available when an incident requires a response.  I know 
that when Detective Torres responds to assist another agency on this type of high-
profile investigation, he will do so with the utmost professionalism and will represent our 
department appropriately.        
 
Detective Torres embodies the qualities of a truly exceptional investigator in the highest 
traditions of the law enforcement profession. His dedication has significantly impacted 
the cases he has worked on, and he continues to set a high standard for investigative 
excellence. Detective Torres’ professionalism, dedication, work ethic, and desire to 
obtain justice for victims make him deserving of the 2024 VFW Police Officer of the 
Year for Post 285. 
 
 
Sincerely, 
 
 
 
Paul Marzocca 
Police Chief 
El Mirage Police Department